When any opinion leads us into absurdities, 'tis certainly false; but 'tis not certain an opinion is false, because 'tis of dangerous consequence. David Hume More Quotes by David Hume More Quotes From David Hume There is no such thing as freedom of choice unless there is freedom to refuse. David Hume freedom-of-choicerefusechoices What we call a mind is nothing but a heap or collection of different perceptions, united together by certain relations and supposed, though falsely, to be endowed with a perfect simplicity and identity. David Hume simplicityperceptionperfect If God is omnipotent, omniscient and wholly good, whence evil? If God wills to prevent evil but cannot, then He is not omnipotent. If He can prevent evil but does not, then he is not good. In either case he is not God. David Hume evildoereligion THERE is no method of reasoning more common, and yet none more blameable, than, in philosophical disputes, to endeavour the refutation of any hypothesis, by a pretence of its dangerous consequences to religion and morality. When any opinion leads to absurdities, it is certainly false; but it is not certain that an opinion is false, because it is of dangerous consequence. Such topics, therefore, ought entirely to be forborne; as serving nothing to the discovery of truth, but only to make the person of an antagonist odious. David Hume topicsphilosophicaldiscovery A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence. David Hume wisdomwiseknowledge Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few. David Hume philosophicalgovernmentphilosophy Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them. David Hume philosophicalpositivebeauty Nothing exists without a cause, the original cause of this universe we call God. David Hume originalsuniversecauses Time is a perishable commodity. David Hume time-managementcommoditymanagement The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster. David Hume menlifescience It is seldom, that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. Slavery has so frightful an aspect to men accustomed to freedom, that it must steal upon them by degrees, and must disguise itself in a thousand shapes, in order to be received. David Hume libertymenorder When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken. David Hume arrogancestupiditymen While we are reasoning concerning life, life is gone. David Hume gonelife-islife Truth springs from argument amongst friends. David Hume philosophicalspringfriendship When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities. David Hume passionhumilitymen If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion. David Hume mathnumbersschool Though experience be our only guide in reasoning concerning matters of fact; it must be acknowledged, that this guide is not altogether infallible, but in some cases is apt to lead us into errors. David Hume errorsmatterfacts Nothing indeed can be a stronger presumption of falsehood than the approbation of the multitude. David Hume strongerhonestytruth All knowledge degenerates into probability. David Hume degeneratesscienceknowledge Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. David Hume philosophicalpassioneye
